Veterinary Science and the Melbourne Model
There’s never been a better time to enter Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne (UoM), with a number of different study pathways available for those wishing to pursue a career as a qualified veterinarian, work as an animal scientist, or pursue opportunities in research establishments, pharmaceutical companies and government services across the globe.
“The University of Melbourne has a long history of excellence in veterinary education and research, and has excelled in the veterinary science education arena since establishing Australia's first Veterinary School in 1909.
Over the years, the School has refined its degrees regularly, to keep up-to-date with developments in the profession and economy globally.
With our move to the Melbourne Model in 2011, we will continue to offer exceptional veterinary education through our newly created professional entry graduate degree – the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine*. The new degree will offer veterinary students the best possible preparation for twenty-first century careers in a rapidly changing and increasingly global workforce.
With the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine* we have taken a revitalised look at how we can bring together technological change, clinical and scientific progress, and stimulating teaching and learning methods. As well as learning the latest theory and practice, students can expect plenty of practical hands-on experience, taught by a team of leading veterinarians.
These changes will help us to continue to be one of the leading veterinary schools in the world, to transfer knowledge to society, including the veterinary profession, producer groups, pet owners and the public, and to ensure that we continue to produce some of the world’s best veterinarians.”
What is different about the new professional entry graduate degree – the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)*?
- For those students who wish to follow the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine* program, as from 2009 studying Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne will take a school leaver six years, and a graduate four years. However a six-year veterinary science progam is nothing new to Australia, with leading veterinary professionals and educators discussing this development for several years. A number of universities in Australia have already introduced six-year veterinary degree programs.
- The new professional entry graduate degree will enable the Faculty to continue to provide contemporary education in Veterinary Science, to keep up-to-date with advances in veterinary science, and provide students with the skills needed to be competent and confident practitioners.
- By studying veterinary science via the Melbourne Model, students will graduate with two degrees - a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Veterinary Bioscience and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine* degree.
- The veterinary program is internationally recognised by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Inc. We are one of only three schools in Australia who have these accreditations, and it means that our graduates are more employable (in 2007, 98% of our graduates were employed in the veterinary arena in Australia, in comparison to the national employment rate of 94% for Bachelor graduates of Veterinary Science*). Our graduates also have the opportunity to work all over the world, and have a diverse range of career opportunities open to them.
- Employers have told us that while graduates still require a deep understanding of their discipline, they must also appreciate the broader context in which their skills will be employed and be ready to apply their knowledge to an increasingly wide range of situations. By studying veterinary science through degrees like the Bachelor of Science, our students access other bodies of knowledge and methods of enquiry to develop the breadth of personal and professional skills that will assist their transition to the workplace.
- The additional year of study will be a substantial benefit to our students, as the final year of the DVM* program will be one of work place learning, with our students learning and practising clinical skills in the university clinic and hospital, in practice and in research laboratory settings.
* Pending Academic Board approval